Casing for door closing and checking devices



Jan. 27, 1942. 1.. F. SCHMIDT CASING FOR DOOR CLOSING AND CHECKING DEVICES I Filed Aug. 9, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheetl BY Jazzzb ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 27, 1942. f HM 2,271,098

CASING FOR DOOR CLOSING AND CHECKING DEVICES Filed Aug. 9, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Jan. 27, 1942 CASING FOR DOOR CLOSING AND CHECKING DEVICES Louis F. Schmidt, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Norton Lasier Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application August 9, 1939, Serial No. 289,137,

12 Claims.

This invention relates to a new and improved casing for door closing and checking devices of the surface type.

' Heretofore surface type door checks have been installed with little regard for their outward appearance. Designers have emphasized efficiency of operation and economy in manufacturing, with the result that the ordinary door check is an unsightly object. The housing of a door check is usually made of cast metal which is expensive to finish off smoothly, and must necessarily have removable caps for assembling and servicing the device as well as regulating screws; these are some of the necessary obstacles to the manufacture of a door check havin a more pleasing appearance.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a casing for door checks which is pleasing in appearance and which conceals the door check housing.

It is another object of this invention to provide a casing which may be quickly and easily installed on a door check.

A further object of this invention is to provide a casing which is simple in construction and which may be readily removed for the purpose of adjusting or servicing the closing device which it covers.

It is another object of this invention to provide a casing which may be easily cleaned and which may be decorated to harmonize with its surroundings. It is a further object to provide a casing which will not rattle. against the closing device, or against the door or supporting bracket. I

These and other objects not specifically enumerated are contemplated for this invention,.as will readily'appearto one skilled in the art as the following description proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings-- a Figure 1 is a front elevation of a casing constructed in accordance with this invention; a door closing and checking device is represented in dotted lines;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of Figure 1;

Figure '7 is an end elevation in cross section of another embodiment of this invention;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in Figure 7; I

Figure 9 is an end elevation of Figure 8, with a door closing and checking device represented in dotted lines;

Figure 3 is a rear elevation ofthe device shown Figure 10 is a fragmentary view in cross section of the embodiment shown in Figure 8, showing the top part of a door closing and checking device;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a modification of the bottom section of the embodiment shown in Figure 8;

Figure 12 is an end elevation in cross section of another modification of the present invention;

Figure 13 is an enlarged fragmentary viewrin cross section'of the fastening means of another modification of the present invention;

Figure 14 is a perspective view of the fastening means shown in Figure 13;

Figure 15 is a top plan view of another embodiment of this invention; a door closing and checking device is represented in dotted lines;

Figure 16 is an end elevation of another modification of this invention, a door closing and checking device being represented in dotted lines; and

Figure 17 is an enlarged perspective of the lower portion of the device shown in Figure 16.

Referring to the drawings more in detail, and particularly Figures 1 and 2, casing 20 is constructed of drawn metal and the general contour may be of any desired design. The embodiment shown conforms somewhat to the outline of the closing device, and is streamlined to some extent. Casing 20 is mounted over a door closing and checking device 2|, which is secured to a door 22. The back of the casing is open, and the rear margins abut the face of the door 22. The top of the casing is provided with an inturned flange 23 which overlies the top margin of the closer 2|. This flange holds a part of the weight of the casing and also determines and maintains the proper vertical position of the casing with respect to the closer.

As shown in Figure 3, the inside of the casing is provided with a clip 24 which is spot-welded or otherwise suitably secured to it. This clip is resilient and has open ends which permit it to partially encircle the door closer housing and firmly grip it. The clip holds the rear margin of the casing against the face of the door under tension and thereby eliminates the possibility of the casing rattling against the door.

As shown in Figure 2, the wall portions of the casing shown at 25 abut the closer adjacent the top thereof, and the inherent resiliency of the casing causes it to grip the closer at these points under a tension, which prevents it from rattling against the closer as the clip 24 urges it into this position. It is to be understood that the casing may be held either against the door or against the closer or against both under tension.

Figures 4 and 5 show a variation in the type of clip which may be used. In this embodiment to the others described above, except for a modification of the holding means, which consist of a pair of holding ears 21 having screw holes 28. These ears may be formed from a continuation of the rear margin of the casing and bent outwardly at right angles to it. The ears as shown in Figure 6 are inset a slight amount from the rear margin of the casing so that when the screws are tightened the rear margin will abut the face of the door, and as the heads of the screws engage the ears they will cause the ears to flex a slight amount, thereby urging the margin of the casing against the face of the door under tension. As described in connection with Figure 2, when the screws are tightened they may cause the side walls to grip the closer, as shown at 25, thereby holding the casing against the closer under tension. The ears are positioned at the shoulders of the casing to make them as inconspicuous as possible; they could be placed elsewhere, however, with similar effectiveness.

The embodiment shown in Figures 7-10 is a modification of this invention in which the casing is made in two pieces. Referring to Figure 8, the upper section 29 is provided with a top portion 30 which overlies the top of the closer and has an opening 3! to accommodate the operating spindle 32. The rear margin of the .top has a bent down portion 33 which engages the top of the rear part of the closer housing 2|, and is so spaced from the rear margin as to urge the latter against the face of the door under tension.

As shown in Figure 7, the lower margin of the upper section 29 is provided with an inturned flange 34 designed to overlap the outwardly turned flange 35 on the upper margin of the lower section 35. These interlocking flanges are tightly fitted together, each exerting pressure on the other. The outer flange 34 exerts an inward pressure on the flanged front and sides of the lower section, holding the two sections together under tension. The upper section in this manner may completely support the lower section, or it may urge the rear margin '31 of the lower section against the face of the door under tension.

The lower section shown in Figure 11 is particularly adapted for use on a door closer which is mounted on a soflit bracket on a door frame, in which case it is desirable to enclose the back as well as the front of the closer. The back portion 38 is held between the door closer and the sofiit bracket by the same screws which hold the closer to the bracket, the screws passing through the openings 39. The top portion may be the same as described above, being held under tension against the back portion 38 instead of the face of a door. This type of lower section also may be used on closers mounted on a door, and similarly the types described above may be used on closers mounted on a soflit bracket, the rear margins being held under tension against a sofiit bracket instead of the face of a door.

A modified form of interlocking flange is shown in Figure 12. The upper section 29 is provided with an inwardly and upwardly turned flange 40. The lower section has an inwardly turned flange 4| to which is secured one or more spring clips 42 which snap over flange 40, holding the flanges of the two sections together under tension. The upper section 29 is mounted as previously described, and the flange 40 may urge the rear margin 31 of the lower section 36 against the face of the door under tension.

Another modified .form of flange is shown in Figures 13 and 14, in which a spring hinge 42 is secured to the flanges. The upper section 29 has an inturned flange 43, and the lower section 36 has a corresponding flange 44. The hinge 42 also has inwardly turned margins, with extensions 45 and 46' which are riveted or otherwise secured to .the outer faces of the corresponding flanges cf the casing, thereby holding the inner faces of the flanges together under tension. As described in connection with the other embodiments, the rear margins of the casing'may be held against the face of the door under tension.

Another modification of the securing means is shown in Figure 15, in which the top 30 of the casing, which is provided with an opening 3| for the operating spindle as previously described, is secured by screws 41 which are threaded into the lugs 48 on the top of the closer housing. The openings in the casing are so disposed with respect to the lugs 48 that when the screws 41 are tightened down, the rear margin of the casing is brought into engagement with the face of the door with sufficient force to cause the casing to flex, thereby holding the rear margin against the face of the door under tension. Similarly, the casing could be secured by having screws pass through the end, or anyother portions of the casing, and secure it to the closer housing in the same manner and with the same effect as described above.

Figures 16 and 17 show a modified form of lower section. Within the lower section 36 adjacent the rear margin, is secured a pair of substantially U-shaped spring fingers 49. These may be secured to the casing by screws or rivets 50. A lug 5| is secured to the casing adjacent the forward margin and projects beyond it. This lug is adapted to fit within the upper casing 29 and is secured to it by a screw 52. .The fingers 49engage the screw housing 53 of the door closer and also the rear portion of the closer housing, exerting a pressure on it and holding the rear margin against the face of the door under tension. When the screw 52 is tightened against the upper section of the casing 29, the casing and the lug 5| flex sufficiently to hold the upper and lower sections together under tension.

It is to be understood that the modifications disclosed in connection with a one-piece casing would be equally adaptable to the upper section of a two-piece casing, and similarly the means illustrated for holding an upper section in posi- While a preferred embodiment of this invention is described as being made of drawn metal, other suitable materials may be used.

While I have shown preferred embodiments.

of my invention, they are to be understood to be illustrative only, as I contemplate such changes and modifications as come within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim: r

1. The combination of a door closing device, a mount for said device spaced therefrom, removable cover means for said device comprising an upper member having a flange overlying the top of said device, said flange providing meansfor engaging the rear of said device whereby the rear margin of said member is maintained in engagement with said mount, a lower member, and means for maintaining said upper and lower members in spring fit engagement whereby the rear margin of said lower member is maintained adjacent said mount.

2. The combination of a door closing device, a mount for said device spaced therefrom, removable cover means for said device comprising an upper member having a flange overlying the top of said device, said flange providing means for engaging the rear of said device whereby the inner surface of said member is maintained in engagement with the forward surface of said device and the rear margin of said member is maintained adjacent said mount, a lower member, and means for maintaining said upper and lower members in spring fit engagement whereby the rear margin of said lower member is maintained adjacent said mount.

3. The combination of a door closing device, a casing for enclosing said device comprising upper and lower members, means for holding said members in spring fit engagement comprising an inwardly extending flange on one of said members, an outwardly extending flange on the other of said members, said upper member being provided with means for engaging said device whereby said. casing is maintained in enclosing position with respect to said device.

4. The combination of a door closing device having a vertical spindle housing and a horizontal piston chamber, a mount for said device, a removable casing for enclosing said device comprising an upper and lower member, means for maintaining the position of said casing with respect to said device comprising a top portion on said upper member adapted to overlie said spindle housing, resilient means associated with said lower member for engaging said piston chamber, and means for securing said upper and lower members together.

5. The combination of a door closing device, a

mount for said device spaced therefrom, a casf ing for enclosing said device comprising upper and lower members, means for maintainingthe position of said casing with respect to said device comprisingaa portion provided by one of said Inmbers' disposed between said device and said mount adapted to engage said device and said 5 mount, and means for securing said upper and lower members together.

, '6 The combination'cf a door closing device, a

mount for said device spaced therefrom, a casfor enclosing said device comprising upper lower members, means for maintaining the w ionof said casing with respect to said device mprisinga portion provided by one of said 'members disposed between said device and said ,inount adapted to engage said device, and means for securing-said upper and lower members to- ;s h

'The combination of a door closing device, a mount for said device, removable cover means for enclosing said device comprising an upper Inber and a lower member, means for securg aid members together, and means provided said upper member for engaging said device I eby said upper and lower members are intained in enclosing relation with respect to said" device.

The combination of a door closing device, a .removable casing for enclosing said device comprising an upper and lower member, means for 'se'curing said upper and lower members together and means associated with said casing for enj gfaging said device whereby said upper and lower {members are maintained in enclosing position with respect to said device.

9. The combination of a door closing device, amount for said device, means for securing said device to said mount, a casing for enclosing said "device comprising a cover member and means for ecuring said members to said mount, a second J-cover member cooperating with said first-named cover member, and means for securing said vmembers together whereby said casing is main- ;;:tained in enclosing position with respect to said .device.

10. The combination of a door closing device, amount for'said device, means for securing said device to said mount, a casing for enclosing said (device comprising a cover member and means Qjfor securing said member to said device, a secand cover member cooperating with said firstnamed 'cover member, and means for securing lid members together whereby said casing is maintained in enclosing position with respect to aid device.

1 1. The combination of a door closing device, a removable casing for enclosing said device 'c'iomprising a plurality of enclosing members, r'neans for securing said members together, and (means associated with said casing for engaging "said device whereby said members are maintained in enclosing position with respect to said device.

12. The combination of a door closing device, 1 a mount for said device, means for securing said ".ydevice to said mount, a casing for enclosing said device comprising a plurality of enclosing members, means for securing said members together, and means associated with said casing for engaging said mount whereby said members are maintained, .in closing position with respect to said device.

LOUIS F. SCHMIDT. 

